TRUMBULL COUNTY Panel OKs sewer plan

Project THAW will continue for another month to help low-income families pay their high heating bills.
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners have approved the planning commission's request to apply for grants to help pay for extended sewer lines in Howland Township.
Called the Golden Triangle Sanitary Sewer Project, the sewer lines would serve a handful of businesses on Phoenix Road.
Atlantis Plastics Injection Molding, Schaefer Equipment, Phoenix Tool and Antenucci Plumbing are some of the businesses in the "golden triangle" area, which is between Larchmont Avenue and North River Road near Delphi Packard Electric Systems.
Alan Knapp from the county planning commission said businesses there use individualized waste treatment systems and are in need of sewer lines.
"The main thing here is getting these sewer lines extended so we can retain jobs and perhaps create new jobs in the township," Knapp said.
Project's cost: The entire project would cost about $940,000, Knapp said. The planning commission will apply for a $564,000 Economic Development Administration grant, which will pay for 60 percent of that cost.
Community Development Block Grants would pay for 30 percent of the cost and the remaining 10 percent would be paid by the Phoenix Road businesses.
Knapp said the planning commission hopes to attain the grants by this summer so construction could start next year.
Heating program: In other matters Wednesday, Thomas Mahoney of Trumbull County Job and Family Services spoke to commissioners about the Temporary Heating Assistance for Warmth program.
The statewide program was initiated by Gov. Bob Taft earlier this year to provide individuals and families below the poverty level with financial assistance with their high home-heating costs.
The program was originally slated to end March 31, but Mahoney announced that the Department of Job and Family Services will accept aid applications through April 30.
Project THAW will pay for heating fuel costs incurred between Oct. 1, 2000, and April 1. Adult households can receive a maximum benefit of $250 each and households with minors and pregnant women can receive up to $400. To qualify, incomes must be below the poverty level.
To request an application for Project THAW, call Job and Family Services at (330) 675-2000.
Mahoney said his office has processed about 2,418 applications since March 31 and Trumbull County families have received about $574,000 financial assistance from the state.